Penn State stock watch, Michigan game

Penn States Graham Zug, who endured a rough first half of the season, caught a touchdown pass against Michigan Saturday night and has four TD catches in his last two games against the Wolverines.

Each week, The Patriot-News looks at three Penn State players who have improved their status and three who have slipped. Here's a serious question -- after hanging 41 on Michigan at home in a prime-time victory, who hasn't improved their position on the team?

THREE UP

1. QB Matt McGloin. Joe Paterno calls him 'Mac' but we prefer 'Rudy'. The West Scranton High School graduate is 2-0 in Big Ten games he's played the majority of the snaps. McGloin spread the ball around in throwing for 250 yards and a touchdown against the Wolverines. And what's not to like about 10 third-down conversions in 16 attempts?

2. SS Drew Astorino. Second on the team in tackles with eight (five solos), Astorino was a factor in coverage with three passes defensed. Because let's face it, no one had a great day trying to tack Michigan QB Denard Robinson.

3. WR Graham Zug. The return of Amish Lightning! Woo-hoo! All three of Zug's catches were huge. He caught a 20-yard TD pass right before half and his two second-half grabs on third down produced first downs. That's four, count'em four, touchdowns against Michigan in two years.

THREE DOWN

1. QB Kevin Newsome. No snaps, not even in the Wildcat, for the one-time backup to Rob Bolden. The pecking order at the quarterback position seems pretty clear moving forward: Rob Bolden and Matt McGloin are No. 1 and No. 1A, and that's really all that matters, given the fact they are a true freshman and redshirt sophomore, respectively.

2. TB Stephfon Green. Big day, record-setting day for Evan Royster (29-150) and true freshman Silas Redd was there to pick up the scraps, carrying six times for 24 yards and catching one pass for five yards. There were no touches for Green.

3. CB Stephon Morris. The one-time starter was replaced in the lineup by Chaz Powell. And the Lions went with Jacob Fagnano in the nickel package.

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